DURHAM, N.C. — WCHL reports that the Durham-Orange Light Rail Project proposal cleared another hurdle when officials announced the Federal Transit Administration had “determined the project to be justified under federal review criteria.”

The designation will allow the 17.7-mile light rail project aimed at connecting UNC to Duke University and North Carolina Central University to move forward into the engineering phase and remain eligible for federal money. The project will rely on 50% of the $2.47 billion price tag coming from the federal government to proceed. The project cost escalates to $3.3 billion when including financing costs.

The FTA’s letter to GoTriangle cautioned that “the President’s Budget for FY 2018 proposes no funding for new projects, and thus GoTriangle acknowledges that it is undertaking additional work at its own risk, which may not receive Capital Investment Grants funding.” For the full story, click here.